Three-Dimensional Interface System and Method

ABSTRACT

A three-dimensional virtual-touch human-machine interface system ( 20 ) and a method ( 100 ) of operating the system ( 20 ) are presented. The system ( 20 ) incorporates a three-dimensional time-of-flight sensor ( 22 ), a three-dimensional autostereoscopic display ( 24 ), and a computer ( 26 ) coupled to the sensor ( 22 ) and the display ( 24 ). The sensor ( 22 ) detects a user object ( 40 ) within a three-dimensional sensor space ( 28 ). The display ( 24 ) displays an image ( 42 ) within a three-dimensional display space ( 32 ). The computer ( 26 ) maps a position of the user object ( 40 ) within an interactive volumetric field ( 36 ) mutually within the sensor space ( 28 ) and the display space ( 32 ), and determines when the positions of the user object ( 40 ) and the image ( 42 ) are substantially coincident. Upon detection of coincidence, the computer ( 26 ) executes a function programmed for the image ( 42 ).

RELATED INVENTIONS

The present invention is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/572,721 filed Aug. 13, 2012 Glomski et al.,entitled “Method and System for Three-Dimensional Virtual-TouchInterface”, currently pending which is a continuation application ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/567,888 filed Dec. 7, 2006 toGlomski et al., entitled “Three-Dimensional Virtual-Touch Human-MachineInterface System and Method Therefore”, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,279,168,which in turn claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to “3D Virtual-TouchHMI,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/749,270, filed 9Dec. 2005, each of these applications being incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of human-machine interfaces.More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of humanmachine interfaces having three-dimensional object sensors andthree-dimensional displays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior-art three-dimensional human-machine interface (3DHMI) systemsusing three-dimensional displays and three-dimensional object sensorsare known. However, such 3DHMI systems do not effect a true volumetricinteractive environment. That is, the prior-art 3DHMI systems do notpermit users to virtually touch and interact with an image anywherewithin a specified volume of space.

Some prior-art 3DHMI systems utilize a planar concept. This conceptfixes interaction at a substantially constant distance (depth) from theuser, thereby confining the user interface to a two-dimensional (breadthand height) plane in space. Such a two-dimensional interaction planedeprives the user of true three-dimensional volumetric operation.

Some prior-art 3DHMI systems require a physical surface fixed in space.Such methodologies limit the user to interaction in a field within,upon, or bound by that physical surface.

Other prior-art 3DHMI systems utilize a stereo camera concept. In thisconcept, images from two or more two-dimensional video cameras areprocessed by a computer into a single three-dimensional image. Adisadvantage of the stereo camera concept is that the depth or Z-axismovement of a user object can only be approximated. A two-dimensionalcamera can only gather two-dimensional data, and depth must beapproximated by a software algorithm that combines the multiple images.This degrades X, Y, Z accuracy, and can result in less robust operationof the system.

Another disadvantage of prior-art 3DHMI systems is that of responsetime. The processing of two two-dimensional images into a singlethree-dimensional image often requires a noticeable amount of time. Thisprocessing lag may lead to errors and false interpretations of userintent.

This lag in response time also inhibits the ability of the system totrack movement though the interactive space in substantially real time.

It therefore would be useful and beneficial to have a 3DHMI system thattracks very rapid user interaction in a true volumetric space. With sucha system, advertisers, product designers, physicians, gamers, militaryplanners, etc., would be able to, or allow their customers to, view,touch and otherwise interact with information in a truethree-dimensional volumetric environment substantially in real time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an advantage of one embodiment of the presentinvention that a three-dimensional virtual-touch human-machine interfacesystem and method therefor is provided.

It is another advantage of one embodiment of the present invention thata three-dimensional virtual-touch human-machine interface system isprovided that projects an image in an interactive volumetric field.

It is another advantage of one embodiment of the present invention thata three-dimensional virtual-touch human-machine interface system isprovided that detects the presence of a user object within thatinteractive volumetric field.

It is yet another advantage of one embodiment of the present inventionthat a three-dimensional virtual-touch human-machine interface system isprovided that provides tracking of that user object through thatinteractive volumetric field substantially in real time.

It is another advantage of one embodiment of the present invention thata three-dimensional virtual-touch human-machine interface system isprovided that executes a programmed function when the position of a userobject is substantially coincident with the position of an image withinthe interactive volumetric field.

The above and other advantages of the present invention are carried outin one form by a three-dimensional virtual-touch human-machine interfacesystem incorporating a three-dimensional object sensor configured todetect a position of a user object within a first three-dimensionalspace, and a three-dimensional display configured to display an imagewithin a second three-dimensional space. The image is configured to havean active region. A computer couples to the sensor and the display, isconfigured to map the position of the user object within a thirdthree-dimensional space, is configured to map a position of the activeregion within the third three-dimensional space, and is configured todetermine when the positions of the user object and the active region ofthe image are substantially coincident within the thirdthree-dimensional space.

The above and other advantages of the present invention are carried outin another form by a method of determining virtual touch within athree-dimensional virtual-touch human-machine interface system. Themethod includes displaying an initial three-dimensional image containingan image wherein an active region of the image is in a three-dimensionalspace, detecting a presence of a user object within thethree-dimensional space, mapping a position of the user object, anddetermining if the user object is substantially coincident with theactive region of the image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived byreferring to the detailed description and claims when considered inconnection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer tosimilar items throughout the Figures, and:

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a three-dimensional virtual-touchhuman-machine interface system in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the system of FIG. 1 demonstratingoverlapping fields for a three-dimensional object sensor and athree-dimensional display in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the system and overlapping sensor anddisplay fields of FIG. 2 in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a diagram of the data flow through the system of FIG. 1in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of a process for the system of FIG. 1 inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 depicts a dimetric view of the system of FIG. 1 demonstrating auser effecting a virtual touch on an image; and

FIG. 7 depicts a dimetric view of the system of FIG. 1 demonstratingmultiple virtual touches on an image.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 depict front, top, and side views, respectively, of athree-dimensional virtual-touch human-machine interface (HMI) system 20in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 2 and 3 further demonstrate overlapping fields for athree-dimensional object-position sensor 22 and a three-dimensionaldisplay 24 of system 20. The following discussion refers to FIGS. 1, 2,and 3.

System 20 includes three-dimensional object-position sensor 22,three-dimensional display 24, and a computer 26.

Sensor 22 is a three-dimensional object-position sensor. That is, sensor22 is configured to detect the position of an object in athree-dimensional sensor space 28. Sensor 22 senses the position ofobjects within sensor space 28 bounded by sensor field-of-view limits30. Assuming that sensor field-of-view limits 30 are planes (not arequirement of the present invention), then sensor space 28 issubstantially a truncated pyramid having a vertical but unbounded baseand whose truncated apex is substantially sensor 22.

Desirably, sensor 22 is a time-of-flight depth sensor (e.g., a DP300SERIES 3D TOF SENSOR from Canesta, Inc., San Jose, Calif.). Such asensor determines the position of an object in space based upon the timelight takes to travel from sensor 22 to the object and back (i.e., thetime of flight of light). The use of a time-of-flight sensor 22 canrender very accurate and very fast position information for the objectin question. The accuracy and speed of a time-of-flight sensor 22 allowssystem 20 to be operated substantially in real time. That is, the systemlag time inherent in sensor 22 and computer 26 is substantiallynegligible under human-interaction conditions.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, while sensor 22 isdesirably a time-of-flight depth sensor, this is not a requirement ofthe present invention. Other sensors capable of detecting the positionof an object in three-dimensional space may be used without departingfrom the spirit of the present invention.

Display 24 is a three-dimensional display. That is, display 24“projects” a three dimensional image that appears to float in athree-dimensional display space 32 in front of display 24. Those skilledin the art will appreciate that the three-dimensional image is notnecessarily projected in the mechanical sense. Rather, the image isconfigured to be perceived by the user as occupying three-dimensionalspace. Display 24 makes available a different image for each eye. Theuser's mind assembles these images into a single image and interpretsthem as a three-dimensional image in space.

Display 24 projects three-dimensional images in display space 32 boundedby display limits 34. Assuming that display limits 34 are planes (not arequirement of the present invention), then display space 32 issubstantially a truncated pyramid having a vertical but unbounded baseand whose truncated apex is substantially coincident with the screen ofdisplay 24.

Desirably, display 24 is a three-dimensional autostereoscopic display.By being an autostereoscopic display, the need for polarized glasses orother viewing apparatuses is eliminated.

More desirably, display 24 is a three-dimensional autostereoscopicliquid-crystal display (e.g., 42″ 42-3D6W01 WOW 3D LCD DISPLAY fromKoninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., the Netherlands), or athree-dimensional autostereoscopic plasma-screen display (e.g., a 50Δ 3DPLASMA DISPLAY from NTT Data Sanyo System Corporation, Japan).Liquid-crystal and plasma screen displays produce three-dimensionalimages having superior clarity over other technologies currentlyavailable.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, while display 24 isdesirably a three-dimensional autostereoscopic display, this is not arequirement of the present invention. Other displays capable ofpresenting an image in three-dimensional space may be used withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention.

Computer 26 is coupled to sensor 22 and display 24, desirably via adigital data link (not shown). Computer 26 integrates and processes thedata to/from sensor 22 and display 24 to produce a three-dimensionalinteractive volumetric field 36 in front of display 24. Field 36 is thatthree-dimensional space mutually within sensor space 28 and displayspace 32. That is, field 36 is that three-dimensional space that iscommon to both sensor space 28 and display space 32, and excludes thoseportions of sensor space 28 and display space 32 that are not common.

In all embodiments of system 20, the planar, two-dimensional HMIenvironment of the prior art is transformed into a volumetric,three-dimensional HMI environment through the use of field 36. Field 36requires no physical surface to facilitate the HMI interface.

Field 36 is unbounded in a direction 38 away from display 24. That is,the depth of field 36 in direction 38 is a function of the sensitivityof sensor 22 and the projection ability of display 24, and lacks adefinite boundary.

FIG. 4 depicts a diagram of data flow through system 20, and FIG. 5depicts a flowchart of a virtual-touch process 100 for system 20 inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6and 7 depicts dimetric views of system 20 demonstrating user objects 40effecting a virtual touch (FIG. 6) and virtual touches (FIG. 7) on animage 42 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. The following discussion refers to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,and 7.

System 20 allows a user object 40 to reach out and virtually touch andcontrol images 42 that appear to float in field 36. Computer 26 containssoftware (not shown) configured to effect virtual-touch process 100 forsystem 20.

Process 100 begins with a task 102 to display initial three-dimensionalimages 42 in display space 32. Display 24 projects one or more images 42into display space 32. At least one of images 42 has an active region 43within field 36. This initial image 42 provides a three-dimensionalpicture displayed by system 20 in a turn-on condition, awaiting userinput. A task 118 (discussed hereinafter) iteratively updates thisinitial image 42 to provide subsequent images 42.

While display 24 can project images 42 into all portions of displayspace 32, portions of display space 32 do not share space with sensorspace 28, hence are not within field 36. While images 42 may bedisplayed within these portions of display space 32, user objectsattempting to “touch” such images 42 cannot be sensed by sensor 22.Therefore, while portions of images 42 may be outside of field 36, allactive regions 43 of such images 42 should be within field 36, i.e.,within sensor space 28.

Display 24, in conjunction with computer 26, displays images 42 inthree-dimensional (X, Y, Z) space. That is, each image 42 has a breadth(a size in an X dimension 44), a height (a size in a Y dimension 46),and a depth (a size in a Z dimension 48). The positions of all activeregions 43 of all images 42 are mapped within computer 26. By beingmapped, computer 26 “knows” the coordinates of each active region 43,and will be able to recognize when user object 40 is substantially atthose coordinates.

A query task 104 determines if sensor 22 detects a user object 40 withinsensor space 28. Sensor 22 has the capability to detect the presence ofuser object 40. The term “user object” 40, as used herein, encompassesthe whole of a physical user 41 (human or otherwise), any portion ofuser 41 (e.g., hand, head, torso, etc.), or a secondary object (e.g.,pencil, probe, glove, etc.) user 41 may use to penetrate sensor space28.

Sensor 22 detects user object 40 anywhere in sensor space 28. However,only that portion of sensor space 28 that is shared by display space 32,i.e., within field 36, is germane to operation. Computer 26 “knows” whensensor 22 detects user object 42 within that portion of sensor space 28within field 36.

If query task 104 determines that sensor 22 does not detect the presenceof user object 40 within field 36, then process 100 loops back and querytask 104 iterates until such a presence is detected.

When query task 104 determines that sensor 22 detects the presence ofuser object 40, then a task 106 determines the position of user object40 within field 36, and a task 108 maps that position within field 36.By mapping the position of user object within field 36, computer 26“knows” the coordinates of that user object 40, and can plot movement ofthat user object 40 through field 36.

When sensor 22 has been realized as a time-of-flight sensor, the speedand accuracy of sensor 22 allow computer to track a moving user object40 in substantially real time, i.e., a position is mapped scantmilliseconds after it is reached. This allows system 20 to be very fastand accurate.

A query task 110 then determines if the position of user object 40 issubstantially coincident with an active region 43 of image 42 withinfield 36. Active region 43 of image 42 is that portion of image 42programmed to be interactive, e.g., a “button.” Of course, nothingprevents the entirety of an image 42 from being programmed to serve asan active region 43. It will be appreciated that active region 43 may beprogrammed as a one-dimensional paint, a two-dimensional area, or athree-dimensional volume.

The term “substantially coincident” indicates that the coordinatesmapped by computer 26 for user object 40 are coincident with orencompass at least a portion of the coordinates mapped for that activeregion 43. This represents a virtual touch condition, e.g., a virtualbutton push, and is equivalent to a physical tough of a physicaltouchpad or a physical push of a physical button or key.

If query task 110 determines that the position of user object 40 is notsubstantially coincident with active region 43 of image 42, then process100 jumps ahead to a query task 116 (discussed hereinafter). This allowsthe position of user object 40 to be tracked it moves through field 36.

If query task 110 determines that the position of user object 40 issubstantially coincident with active region 43 of image 42, then a querytask 112 ascertains if the function programmed for active region 43 ifimage 42 is to be executed.

Computer 26 evaluates the action of user object 40 versus the programmedfunction. For example, if user object 40 is moving, i.e., if everydetection of user object 40 is at a different position within field 36,then computer 26 may most likely determine that user 41 does not wish toexecute the programmed function.

Conversely, if user object 40 has stopped, i.e., two or more consecutivedetections of user object 40 occur at substantially the same positionwithin field 36, then computer 26 may most likely determine that user 41wishes to execute the programmed function. This would constitute a“click” or selection on active region 43 of image 42. User 41 hasexecuted a virtual touch of image 42.

If query task 112 determines that the function programmed for activeregion 43 of image 42 is not to be executed, then process 100 jumpsahead to query task 116 (discussed hereinafter).

If query task 112 determines that the function pre-programmed for activeregion 43 of image 42 is to be executed, then a task 114 executed thatfunction. This is analogous to clicking a mouse when a cursor is over ascreen “button,” and having a computer perform the functionpre-programmed for that button.

If task 114 executes the desired function, if query task 110 determinesthat the position of user object 40 is not substantially coincident withactive region 43 of image 42, or if query task 112 determines that thefunction programmed for active region 43 of image 42 is not to beexecuted, then query task 116 determines if a three-dimensional image 42produced by display 24 is to be updated, i.e., changed in any manner. Itwill be appreciated that any image 42 may change at any time,independent of user interaction. For example, an image 42 may appear tofloat freely in space until “touched,” at which time that image 42 andany other desired images 42 may “pop” or otherwise disappear or change.

If query task 116 determines that any image 42 is to be updated, then ina task 118, image 42 is updated and display 24 projects one or moreimages 42 into field 36. This updating process is iterated for everychange of image 42 in system 20, and allows system 20 to proceed throughall images 42 in use.

After task 119, or if query task 116 determines that no images 42 are tobe updated, process 100 loops back to query task 104.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that process 100 as describedherein is exemplary only. Variants on process 100 may be incorporatedwithout departing from the spirit of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts user object 40 selecting or “clicking” active region 43of image 42, i.e., the rightmost front apex of the tetrahedron. Bymoving user object 40 to the same spatial coordinates as the rightmostapex, user 41 makes contact with or virtually touches active region 43of image 42. When the virtual touch is made, whatever function isprogrammed for active region 43 of image 42 is executed.

In a more interactive example (not shown), user 41 may play a dynamic,action-based game with system 20. A three-dimensional ball may bedisplayed, and appear to float in front of display 24. User 41 may “hit”the ball with his hand, and the ball would appears to move into display24, facilitating a dynamic, interactive three-dimensional gamingenvironment.

It will be readily appreciated that the function programmed for activeregion 43 of image 42 may involve modification of the appearance ofimage 42, e.g., resizing, rotating or repositioning.

FIG. 7 shows multiple user objects 40 establishing virtual contact withimage 42. This enables a multi-user, collaborative interface.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are no knownlimitations to the physical size of an embodiment of system 20. System20 has the capability to operate in embodiments of variable physicalsize, e.g., portable systems (cellular telephones, personal digitalassistants, etc.), desktop systems, big-screen television systems,and/or systems with wall-sized displays. In physically largerapplications, such as wall-size display systems 20, multiple sensors 22may be used to provide full coverage of field 36.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the preferred embodimentof system 20 discussed hereinbefore and shown in the Figures isexemplary only. System 20 may be realized as any of a plurality ofembodiments, each serving a specific need.

Realizations of system 20 may include, but are not limited to, thefollowing embodiments.

System 20 may be realized as an advertising system. In this embodiment,the three-dimensional display aspects of system 20 may be used toattract the attention of potential customers. These potential customersmay then view items of interest in three dimensions, and may makeselections through virtual touch.

System 20 may be realized as a public peripheral-free system. In thisembodiment, system 20 requires no special peripheral devices besides thebasic human form. This enables an immediate and intuitive ability to usesystem 20 by the mass public.

System 20 may be realized as a virtual gaming system. In thisembodiment, a gamer may simulate physical contact and interaction withgaming elements and other players in three dimensions. This also createsan aerobic environment involving physical movement on the part of thegamers. This concept may be extended to whole-body interaction.

System 20 may be realized as a public contamination-free system. In thisembodiment, system 20 serves as a sterile, contact-free system forpublic use (e.g., at a Kiosk, ATM, airport check-in, etc.). Thisembodiment is especially desirable to aid in curtailing the spread ofdisease. This embodiment of system 20 is therefore useful wherepotential contamination may be a problem, such as at airports, or duringvirulent outbreaks, as with various forms of influenza.

System 20 may be realized as a sterile medical system. In thisembodiment, system 20 provides a sterile, contact-free system in whichall interaction with the system may be accomplished with hand or bodygestures in space, without physical system contact.

System 20 may be realized as an interactive viewing system. Complexthree-dimensional data, such as molecular structures, magnetic resonanceimages, and ultrasound images, are typically viewed in two-dimensions,i.e., on a flat, two-dimensional monitor. In this embodiment, system 20would allow the operator to view and interact with complexthree-dimensional data in three dimensions.

System 20 may be realized as a secure data entry system. System 20 maybe realized with a narrow and limited field of view. This would allowuser 41 to access confidential data while minimizing the possibility ofthat data being visible to others proximate user 41. This embodiment isideal for automatic teller machines, voting machines, and other publiclyplaced systems that deal with confidential and/or personal data.

System 20 may be realized as an interactive prototyping system. In thisembodiment, designers may visualize, evaluate and modify objects inthree dimensions. This may result in an increase in design capabilitiesand a reduction in design time.

System 20 may be realized as a training system. In this embodiment,users 41 may train on new equipment virtually in a three-dimensionalenvironment. This may provide a more effective, more realistic, and morecost-effective training methodology.

System 20 may be realized as a total immersion system. In thisembodiment, system 20 may provide the capability for total immersion ofuser 41 by using three-dimensional autostereoscopic displays thatenvelope user 41. This may include well-sized displays, or may includeflex-screen displays that curve to accommodate peripheral vision.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exemplary embodimentsof system 20 discussed herein are not limiting. Many other embodimentsof system 20 not discussed herein may be realized without departing fromthe spirit of the present invention.

In summary, the present invention teaches a three-dimensionalvirtual-touch human-machine interface system 20 and a method thereforusing virtual-touch process 100. System 20 incorporates athree-dimensional display 24 that produces an image 42 in an interactivevolumetric field 36. System 20 incorporates a three-dimensional objectsensor 22 that detects the presence of a user object 40 within field 36,and tracks user object 40 through field 36 substantially in real time.System 20 incorporates a computer 26 that maps the positions of image 42and user object 40 within field 36 and executes a programmed functionwhen those positions are substantially coincident.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated and described in detail, it will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art that various modifications may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope ofthe appended claims.

1. A three-dimensional interface system, comprising: a three-dimensionaltime-of-flight object sensor configured to detect a position of a userobject within a first three-dimensional space bounded by a sensor fieldof view; a three-dimensional display configured to display one or moreimages within a second three-dimensional space bounded by displaylimits, each of the one or more images being displayed as if it were inthree-dimensional space, each of the one or more images having a breadthcorresponding to a size in an x-dimension, a height corresponding to asize in a y-dimension, and a depth corresponding to a size in az-dimension, and each of said one or more images having at least onecorresponding active region being defined by x, y and z coordinates,each active region of a corresponding image being a portion of thecorresponding image that is programmed to be interactive with a userobject; and a computer coupled to said sensor and said display,configured to map said position of said user object within a thirdthree-dimensional space including x, y and z axis coordinates whereinthe third three-dimensional space is common to both the firstthree-dimensional space and the second three-dimensional space,configured to map a position of each of said one or more active regionswithin said third three-dimensional space, and configured to determinewhen said positions of said user object and one or more of said activeregions of said one or more images are substantially coincident withinsaid third three-dimensional space, so that the computer candifferentiate between two or more of said active regions differing onlyin z axis coordinates in said third three-dimensional space, thecomputer executing a function programmed for an active region upondetermining that the positions of said user object and one or more ofsaid active regions of said one or more images are substantiallycoincident.
 2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidthree-dimensional display is a three-dimensional autostereoscopicdisplay.
 3. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidthree-dimensional display is a three-dimensional autostereoscopic liquidcrystal display.
 4. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidthree-dimensional display is a three-dimensional autostereoscopicplasma-screen display.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein thethree-dimensional display provides a different image for each eye of aviewer.
 6. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidthree-dimensional display is configured to display said one or moreactive regions of said one or more images in said firstthree-dimensional space.
 7. The system as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid third three-dimensional space is mutually within said first andsecond three-dimensional spaces.
 8. The system as claimed in claim 1wherein: said first three-dimensional space is bound by first limits;said second three-dimensional space is bound by second limits; saidthird three-dimensional space is bound by said first and second limits.9. The system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said third three-dimensionalspace is unbounded in a direction away from said display.
 10. The systemas claimed in claim 1 wherein: said one or more images is one of aplurality of images; and said display is configured to display saidplurality of images within said second three-dimensional space so that auser interacting with the three-dimensional display is able to view theplurality of images as if they were in three-dimensional space.
 11. Thesystem as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said user object is one of aplurality of user objects; and said sensor is configured to detect saidone user object within said first three-dimensional space.
 12. Thesystem as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said user object is a secondaryobject.
 13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein: said secondaryobject is separate from a portion of a user.
 14. A method of determiningvirtual touch within a three-dimensional interface system, comprisingthe steps of: displaying, through the use of a three-dimensionaldisplay, an initial three-dimensional image within a three-dimensionalspace so that the image is displayed as if it was positioned in thethree-dimensional space, wherein the image has a breadth correspondingto a size in an x-dimension, a height corresponding to a size in ay-dimension, and a depth corresponding to a size in a z-dimension, andthe image has a corresponding active region defined by x, y and zcoordinates in the three-dimensional space, the active region of thecorresponding image being a portion of the corresponding image that isprogrammed to be interactive with a user object; detecting a presence ofa user object including x, y and z axis coordinates within thethree-dimensional space through the use of a three-dimensionaltime-of-flight sensor; mapping, through a computer, a position of saiduser object and a position of the active region within thethree-dimensional space including x, y and z axis coordinates; anddetermining, by said computer, if a position of said user object issubstantially coincident with a position of said active region of saidimage along each of the x, y and z axis coordinates within saidthree-dimensional space so that the user is able to selectively interactwith, and the computer can differentiate between, said active regioncorresponding to said three-dimensional image displayed by thethree-dimensional display; executing, by said computer, a functionprogrammed for said active region when said determining activelydetermines that the position of said user object and the position of theactive region of said three-dimensional image are substantiallycoincident; and updating said three-dimensional image when saidexecuting activity executes said function.
 15. The method as claimed inclaim 14, further comprising the step of returning to said detectingactivity following said updating activity.
 16. The method as claimed inclaim 14, wherein: said mapping, determining, executing, and updatingactivities are executed when said detecting activity detects saidpresence of said user object; and said detecting activity is iteratedwhen said detecting activity fails to detect said presence of said userobject.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising thestep of returning to said detecting activity when said determiningactivity determines said user object is not substantially coincidentwith said active region.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 14, furthercomprising the steps of: ascertaining, when said determining activitydetermines said user object is substantially coincident with said activeregion, if a function programmed for said active region of said image isto be executed; and executing said function when said ascertainingactivity ascertains said function is to be executed; and updating saidthree-dimensional image when said executing activity executes saidfunction.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 18 additionally comprisingreturning to said detecting activity when said ascertaining activityascertains said function is not to be executed.
 20. The method asclaimed in claim 14, further comprising the step of establishing saidposition of said user object prior to said mapping activity.
 21. Themethod as claimed in claim 14, wherein: said displaying activitydisplays said initial three-dimensional image containing at least oneimage wherein a plurality of active regions of said at least one imageis in said three-dimensional space; said detecting activity detects apresence of one or more user objects within said three-dimensionalspace; said mapping activity maps said position of each of said one ormore user objects within said three-dimensional space; said determiningactivity determines if each of said one or more user objects issubstantially coincident with one of said plurality of active regions;and said executing activity executes said function when said determiningactivity determines one or more of said user objects is substantiallycoincident with a corresponding one or more of said plurality of activeregions.
 22. A three-dimensional interface system comprising: athree-dimensional time-of-flight sensor configured to detect a positionof a user object having x, y and z axis coordinates within a firstthree-dimensional space bound by first limits corresponding to a sensorfield of view; a three-dimensional display configured to display one ormore images within a second three-dimensional space bound by secondlimits corresponding to display limits, said one or more images eachhaving at least one corresponding active region having x, y and z axiscoordinates within a third three-dimensional space bound by said firstand second limits, mutually within said first and secondthree-dimensional spaces, and unbounded in a direction away from saiddisplay so that a user interacting with the three-dimensional display isable to view the one or more images as if they were in three-dimensionalspace, with each of the one or more images having a breadthcorresponding to a size in an x-dimension, a height corresponding to asize in a y-dimension, and a depth corresponding to a size in az-dimension, and with each active region of a corresponding image beinga portion of the corresponding image that is programmed to beinteractive with one or more user objects; and a computer coupled tosaid sensor and said display, configured to map a position of said oneor more user objects within said third three-dimensional space,configured to map a position of said one or more images within saidthird three-dimensional space along with said at least one correspondingactive regions, and configured to determine when said positions of oneor more of said one or more user objects and said at least onecorresponding active regions of said one or more images aresubstantially coincident within said third three-dimensional space alongx, y and z axis coordinates so that the computer can differentiatebetween two or more active regions differing only in z axis coordinatesin said third three-dimensional space, the computer executing a functionprogrammed for an active region upon determining that the position ofsaid user object and one or more of said active regions of said imageare substantially coincident.